A forklift driver from Salford has found one of the world’s deadliest snakes after it survived a 4,000 mile trip in a shipment from Pakistan.
The RSPCA has revealed that one of its local inspectors was called in to safely recover the venomous reptile after it was discovered last Friday in a container of bricks that had been delivered to Manchester Brick Specialists on Langley Road last month.
The snake has been identified as a saw-scaled viper.
The snake – which is mainly found in Asia, and is said to be one of four species that together account for the highest number of human fatalities – has now been moved to an establishment with a special licence to care for venomous reptiles, the RSPCA confirmed.
RSPCA inspector Ryan King said that he quickly realised the snake was “more than capable of killing people with its highly toxic venom,” once he arrived at the job.
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“Sometimes we get to jobs like this and it turns out to be a harmless grass snake,” he said.
He added that they have even attended snake reports which turn out to be plastic toys before, but in this occasion, he immediately realised after a “quick look” just how venomous the snake was and how serious the recovery situation is.
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The snake has been identified as a saw-scaled viper / Credit: RSPCA
Giving further insight into how deadly this snake species can be, Mr King said: “Anti-venom is available in the countries where the viper originates from, but the snake is so venomous, that even then it does not always save the victim.”
The snake was confined in a cardboard box by Logistics Manager Michael Regan, who then reported the matter to the RSPCA.
Mr Regan said that while confining the snake, he “knew to keep a safe distance”, but at the time, obviously had no idea how deadly this snake was.
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“It was pretty shocking,” he added.
Mr King said it was “amazing” that the snake had survived the journey and managed to live for weeks in such a cold climate, adding: “They are very small and it could have easily bitten someone and it seems he has been in the brickyard for about a month.”
Featured Image – RSPCA
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Major pop star crowns humble rice and three cafe as ‘Jewel of Manchester’ ahead of sold-out gig
Thomas Melia
A beloved city centre takeaway has been given the title of ‘Jewel of Manchester’ by chart-topping UK singer Sam Smith.
Known for hits like ‘Stay With Me’, ‘I’m Not The Only One’ and more recently ‘Unholy’, UK pop-ballad act Sam Smith also likes to drop a food review every once in a while.
Currently on the road with a run of shows in Manchester and London for their ‘To Be Free’ live shows, Sam Smith is stopping off at some of our city’s much-loved spots.
On their food-reviewing account titled ‘Sam Served’, where they adopt the aptly-fitting nickname ‘Ham Smith’, Sam has visited restaurants across the globe – and most recently turned their attention to Manchester’s own This & That.
Smith decided to pop in and grab a cheeky rice and three from long-standing backstreet food business This & That, and it certainly went down a treat.
After sampling their amazing selection of meat, vegetable and vegan curries, the musician crowned this family-run Indian takeaway a ‘Jewel of Manchester’.
The hitmaker described this Northern Quarter Indian eatery as ‘Everything food should be’ and definitely enjoyed all the curries on offer ‘leaving belly and heart full’.
This & That prides itself on affordable and comforting food with its ‘Rice and Three Curries’ starting from just £6 – not bad for a city centre foodie spot.
Sam has racked up an impressive 490k followers via their ‘Sam Served’ profile, with famous faces like Lily Allen, Denise Welch and CMAT all wanting to know the superstar’s foodie thoughts.
After enjoying a curry or three, Sam Smith also made sure to feed their soul to by venturing down to Afflecks and getting lost in the music at Mars Tapes.
Recognised as one of the UK’s only cassette and tape shops, Mars Tapes lets you flick through their crates of physical media and even preview tracks before you buy with its dedicated listening areas.
It’s safe to say that Smith has ‘Latched’ onto Manchester’s independent business scene and we’re here for it.
The London-born artist has just released their latest album Hazel Eyes and is currently amid a UK residency tour with two dates in Manchester’s Albert Hall and eight shows set for London Coliseum.
You can now have a private sleepover amongst all the history inside Manchester Museum
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Museum is now offering one lucky family the chance to have a sleepover with Stan the Tyrannosaurus rex.
For the first time in Manchester Museum’s history, one lucky family will be given the chance to experience an incredible night at the museum.
This unique opportunity is being offered as part of a prize draw, allowing visitors to find out what happens once the sun goes down inside the Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery – in the company of Stan, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, of course.
The Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery is one of the most iconic spaces within Manchester Museum.
Having opened to the public all the way back in 1888, it’s part of the museum’s original building designed by celebrated Alfred Waterhouse, who also designed Manchester Town Hall and London’s Natural History Museum.
Not only will the lucky winning family enjoy an overnight stay in the gallery, but they’ll also be treated to a guided torchlight tour of the galleries after the Museum has closed, as well as other fun activities and a film screening too before bed.
You can now have a private sleepover inside Manchester Museum / Credit: The Manc Group
“We can’t be completely sure what happens when the sun goes down in our Fossils and Dinosaurs gallery, because nobody has ever spent the night in there before, but we can only imagine the kind of fun that can be had with Stan the T. rex and his friends,” said Dean Whiteside, Head of Commercial and Operations at Manchester Museum.
“This is a chance to be a part of museum history and enjoy the kind of once-in-a-lifetime experience you can’t usually buy.
“At the same time, Manchester Museum is a charity so, by getting behind this initiative, you’ll be helping to support vital work that impacts the lives of people across Greater Manchester and beyond.”
Fancy it then? You can enter the prize draw by buying a ticket for £5 from the Manchester Museum Shop, with each ticket counting as one entry and the winner set to be chosen at random from all valid entries.
The prize draw is now open and closes on Monday 28 September 2026.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd December 2021 
